BMW MachineThe Ultimate Riding User Manual

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caused in this way is not covered
by the warranty.
Do not tamper with the engine
control unit.ChecklistUse the following checklist to
check important functions, set-
tings and wear limits before you
ride off:Brakes
Front and rear brake fluid levels
Clutch
Damping setting and spring
preload
Tread depth and tire inflation
pressure
Firm seating of cases and lug-
gage
At regular intervals: Engine oil level (every time you
refuel)
Brake pad wear (during every
third stop for refueling)
StartingSide standYou cannot start the motorcy-
cle with the side stand extended
and a gear engaged. The engine
will switch itself off if you start it
with the transmission in neutral
and then engage a gear before
retracting the side stand.TransmissionYou can start the engine when
the transmission is in neutral or if
you pull the clutch with a gear
engaged. Do not engage the
clutch until after switching on
the ignition, as otherwise the en-
gine cannot be started. When
the transmission is in neutral, the
green neutral indicator light is on
and the gear indicator in the mul-
tifunction display shows
N.
Starting engineEmergency ON/OFF switch in
run position a.
Transmission lubrication
is only ensured when the
engine is running.Insufficient lu-
brication can lead to transmission
damage.
Do not allow the motorcycle to
roll for longer periods or push it
over longer distances with the
engine switched off.
Switch on ignition.
Pre-ride check is performed.
( 65)
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with BMW Motorrad ABS
OE
Switch on ignition.
Pre-ride check is performed.
( 65)
ABS self-diagnosis is
performed. ( 66)
Press starter button1.
At extremely low tempera-
tures it may be necessary
to operate the throttle twist grip
during starting. At ambient tem-
peratures below 32 °F (0 °C),
actuate the clutch after switching
on the ignition. The start attempt is auto-
matically interrupted if bat-
tery voltage is too low. Recharge
the battery before you start the
engine, or use jump leads and a
donor battery to start.
Engine starts.
If the engine fails to start, the
troubleshooting table in the
chapter "Technical Data" may
provide assistance. ( 124)
Pre-ride checkAfter the ignition is switched on,
the instrument cluster conducts
a test of the pointer instruments
and the warning and indicator
lights. This so-called Pre-Ride-
Check is canceled as soon as the
engine is started.
Phase 1
The pointer of the tachometer
and speedometer are run up to
the end stop. At the same time, the following
warning and indicator lights are
switched on consecutively:
Indicator light for high-beam
headlight and telltale light for
left turn indicator
General warning light in yellow
and indicator light for idling
Warning light for fuel reserve
and indicator light for right turn
indicator
Warning light for oil pressure
with BMW Motorrad ABS
OE
ABS warning light
Phase 2 General warning light
changes from yellow to red.
Phase 3
The pointers of the tachometer
and speedometer are run back.
At the same time, all switched-on
warning and indicator lights are
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switched off consecutively in the
reverse order.
If a pointer has not been moved,
or if one of the specified warning
and indicator lights has not been
switched on:If it was not possible to
switch on the warning
lights, possible malfunctions
cannot be indicated.
Watch all warning and indicator
lights on the display.
Have the malfunction corrected
as soon as possible by a spe-
cialized workshop, preferably
an authorized BMW Motorrad
retailer.ABS self-diagnosis
OE
The readiness for operation
of the BMW Motorrad ABS is
checked by the self-diagnosis.
Self-diagnosis is performed
automatically when you switch on
the ignition. To check the wheel sensors, the motorcycle must be
driven a few yards.
Phase 1
Checking the diagnosable
system components while
stopped. ABS warning light flashes.
Possible country-specif-
ic version of ABS warning
light.
Phase 2
Checking the wheel sensors
while starting off. ABS warning light flashes.
Possible country-specif-
ic version of ABS warning
light. ABS self-diagnosis
completed
The ABS warning light goes
out.
If an ABS fault is indicated after
the ABS self-diagnosis is com-
pleted: Continued driving is possible.
It must be noted that the ABS
function is not available.
Have the malfunction corrected
as soon as possible by a spe-
cialized workshop, preferably
an authorized BMW Motorrad
retailer.
Running inThe first 600 miles
(1,000 km)While running in the motorcy-
cle, vary the throttle opening
and engine-speed range fre-
quently.
Try to do most of your rid-
ing during this initial period on
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twisting, fairly hilly roads, avoid-
ing high-speed main roads and
highways if possible.Exceeding the specified en-
gine speeds while running
in will lead to increased engine
wear.
Adhere to the specified engine
run-in speeds.
Do not exceed the engine run-
in speeds.
Engine break-in speed
<5000 min
-1
Do not accelerate at full throt-
tle.
Avoid low engine speeds at full
load.
After 300 - 750 miles (500 -
1,200 km), have the first in-
spection performed.
Brake padsNew brake pads must "bed
down" and therefore do not
achieve their optimum friction
levels during the first 300 miles
(500 km). This initial reduction
in braking efficiency can be
compensated for by exerting
greater pressure on the levers. New brake pads can ex-
tend stopping distance by a
significant margin.
Brake early.TiresNew tires have a smooth sur-
face. This must be roughened by
riding in a restrained manner at
various heel angles until the tires
are run in. This running in proce-
dure is essential if the tires are to
achieve maximum grip.
New tires have not
achieved their full adhesion
yet. There is a danger of accidents when driving at
extreme angles.
Avoid extreme angles.
Driving offroadTire inflation pressure
A tire inflation pressure re-
duced for offroad driving
leads to poorer handling of the
motorcycle on paved roads and
can result in accidents.
Ensure proper tire inflation
pressure.
Rims offroadBMW Motorrad recommends
checking the rims for possible
damage after riding offroad.Dirt or mud on brakes
When the motorcycle is
ridden on loose surfaces
or muddy roads, the brakes may
fail to take effect immediately
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because of dirt or moisture on
the disks or brake pads.
Brake early until the brakes are
braked clean.Driving on unpaved or dirty
roads leads to increased
brake pad wear.
Check the brake pad thickness
more often and replace the brake
pads sooner.Spring preload and
damping
Spring preload and damp-
ing values that have been
changed for offroad use reduce
handling characteristics on paved
surfaces.
Before returning to on-road use,
reset correct spring preload and
correct damping.
BrakesHow is the shortest
braking distance
achieved?The dynamic load distribution
between the front and rear wheel
changes during braking. The
heavier you brake, the more
the front wheel is loaded. The
greater the wheel load, the more
braking force can be transferred.
To achieve the shortest possible
braking distance, the front brake
must be applied quickly and with
increasing force. This optimal-
ly utilizes the dynamic load in-
crease on the front wheel. At the
same time, the clutch should al-
so be actuated. With the "forced
braking" often practiced in which
the brake pressure is generat-
ed as quickly as possible and
with great force, the dynamic
load distribution cannot follow
the increased deceleration and the braking force cannot be com-
pletely transferred to the road
surface. The front wheel locks
and the danger of falling increas-
es.
with BMW Motorrad ABS
OE
To prevent the front wheel from
locking, the ABS system must
intervene and reduce the brake
pressure; the braking distance
increases.Descending mountain
passes
There is a danger of the
brakes fading if you use on-
ly the rear brakes when descend-
ing mountain passes. Under
extreme conditions, the brakes
could overheat and suffer severe
damage.
Use both front and rear brakes,
and make use of the engine's
braking effect as well.
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